The Black Hawk War was fought between the Sac and Fox Indians and the United States.
Indian tribes in the Northwestern frontier fought against each other and white settlers over boundaries. The boundaries for the Winnebago, Sioux, Chippewa, Sauk, Sac, Fox and other tribes were established by a treaty signed on August 19, 1825. However, hostilities continued and grew.

White settlers were migrating into the Northwestern frontier and wanted the Indians pushed
farther west. Stories of attacks by the Indians were exaggerated by the whites who wanted the Indians gone.

The tribes formed an alliance under Sioux Chief, Red Bird, to fight the white men. Attacks on the white men started July 24, 1827 near Prairie Du Chien but were quelled by cavalry and infantry companies and a volunteer militia. Chief Red Bird along with Black Hawk surrendered.
Chief Red Bird died in confinement. Black Hawk was acquitted and released; this was the beginning of his rise to prominence. Black Hawk (1757-1838), was born in a Sac Village near Rock Island, Illinois.